Cooler for gases.



T. R. WEYMOUTH & w. T. YOUNG.

COOLER ron GASES. APPLICATION FILED JULY I5, 1314.

Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- INVENTOR S WITNESSES T. R. WEYMOUTHKL'WE T. YOUNG.

COOLER FOR GASES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 15, 19M.

1,178,562. Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITNESSES :NVENTOR% THOMAS E. WEYIVIOUTH AND WILLIAM T. YOUNG, OF OIL CITY, PENNSYLVANIA..

COOLER FOR GASES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

Application filed July 15, 1914. Serial No. 851,235.

Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Coolers for Gases, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in wh1ch Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of a gas cooler embodying our invention; Fig. 2 is a section on a larger scale taken through one of the baffies, as for instance, on the line IIII of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the baffles; Fig. 4 is a face view of the convex side of the same; and Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section showing one form of drip trough.

Our invention has relation to coolers for gases by means of which the temperature of the gas can be controlled and a fractionated separation of the liquid contents carried by the-gas can be obtained. For instance, in cooling natural gas after compression, a fractionated separation of the gasolene contained in the gas can be obtained. Our invention is also applicable to the treatment of other gases, such as ammonia gas, in connection with refrigerating plants, etc.

The precise nature of our invention. will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which we have shown the preferred embodiment thereof and which will now be described, it being premised, however, that various changes can be made in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts, without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention.

In these drawings, the numerals 2 and 3 designate two separated vertical headers, which are connected by a plurality of longitudinally extending circulating pipes 4. In the construction shown, the header 2 is provided with an inlet pipe connection 5 near its lower end and with an outlet pipe connection 6 near its upperend. In this particular construction also, this header is divided into three separate compartments 7, 8 and 9, one above another. The header 3 is divided into a lower compartment 10,

and an upper compartment 11. We have also shown the circulating pipes 4 as arranged ln pair, although they may be arranged slngly or in groups of any desired number. They are shown as threaded into the headersat one end, as indicated at 12, and extending relatively loosely into the header at their opposite ends through suitable stuiiing boxes 13. This construction provides for the necessary expansion and.

contraction and relieves the structure of strains which would otherwise be due to this cause. At the base of the several sections of the headers 2 and 3 are placed bosses 27 which are tapped for receiving threaded pipes, not shown, for draining off the condensed liquid deposited in the headers.

In each compartment of each header, we

provide a combined bafiie and separator,

which breaks up the flow of the gas and effects a separation of the liquid matter contalned therein. These combined baffles and separators are all shown as being of substantially the same form and construction, and a description of one of them will apply to all. Each of said bafiies consists of a vertically extending member 14, arranged ap proximately centrally within the header compartment and of angular or V-form in cross section, its convex side being in the direction of the entering gas and preferably havlng a series of vertical, spaced ribs or deflectors 15 thereon. At its upper end, the

vertical member 14 joins a horizontal flange portion 16, which forms a closure for the top ofthe space at the convex side of the baffle. At its bottom, it is joined to another flange member 17, which closes the bottom of said space, except for one or more perforations 18 formed therethrough. The bottom member of the baffle also has a relatively narrow extension 19 at its opposite side, which seats on the support 20, and also has a drip pipe or opening therethrough. The verti cal portion 14 of the baflle is of less width than the diameter of the header compartment, thereby leaving a space 22 between each of its edges and the adjacent wall of sires,

the surfaces of said pipes. We have shown this as consisting of a trough having a sawtoothed overflow edge 2%, and a similarly toothed lower drip edge The lower portion of the cooler may be set within a trough or receptacle 26. to collect. the drip from the pipes'and also to permit the lower pipes to be submerged in liquid. if (lQS11(l.

The operation is as follows: The gas en ters the compartment 7 through the inlet connection 5 and impinges against the convex side of the vertical member 15 of the adjacent baffle. This causes the flow of gas to divide and to pass through the spaces 22 at the edges of said member. The ribs or deflectors 15 act as separators for the liquid contained in the gas, which is precipitated on to the bottom flange 17 and thence through the drip opening or openings 18. Any gas which may also flow, downwardly through the drip opening or openings is free to again pass upwardly at the other side of the battle around the sides of the relatively narrow elongated extension 19.\

bathing and separating means in each of said compartments, substantially as de-' scribed.

Q. A gas cooler comprising vertical headers separated into superimposed compartments. circulating pipes connecting the compartments in series. each of said pipes having an expansion joint at one end to permit the pipes to expand and contract relative to the headers, battling and supporting means located in the compartments, and means for regulating the temperature of the gas flowing through the headers and pipes. substantially as described.

3. A gas cooler and separator, comprising headers divided into compartments, circulat'ing pipes connecting the several compartments in series, and removable gas bafliing and separating means in said compartments, together with means for flowing a cooling liquid over the outer surfaces of said pipes, substantially as described.

4. A gas cooler, comprising vertical headers having separate compartments, circu- The gas then flows in parallel through the \lating'pipes connecting the header comparttwo lower pipes and into the lower compart ment 10 of the header 3. Here it is agaln baflled in a similar manner and then flows up and into the next bank of pipes 4:, and thence into the compartment 8 of the header '2, where it is again bafiled. The gas then flows upwardly and back through the next bank of pipes into the upper, compartment 11, of the header 3, where it is again baffled. It then flows back through the top bank of pipes into the compartment 9 of the header 2, where it is preferably again baffled before passing to the outlet connection 6.

A portion of the liquid contained in the gas will be separated out by each of the battles. Thus, in the case of natural gas, the water and heavy oils will be separated out in the compartment 7; the heaviest gasolene will be separated out in the compartment 10; and lighter gasolenes Will be successively separated in the other compartments. By regulating the temperature of the liquid flowed over the outer surfaces of the circulating pipes at, the temperature of the gas can be controlled as may be desired.

The apparatus above described forms an extremely simple and eiiicient means for the purpose. It can be constructed and operated at a relatively low cost; it can be made of any desired capacity; and the separation can be carried to any desired extent While controlling the temperature, by increasing the number of header compartments and banks of circulating pipes.

\Ve claim:

1. A gas cooler and separator, comprising headers divided into compartments, circulating pipes connecting the several compartment in series, and removable gas ments in series, and a plurality of removable bailiing and separating means in said compartments, each of said baffling and separating means having a separating surface arranged to be impinged by the flowing gas, and tortuous flow channels around said surface, substantially as described.

5. A gas cooler and separator, comprising headers,each of said headers having a plurality of superimposed compartments separated from each other, circulating pipes connecting the several compartments of the headers in series, a removable baffling and separating device in each compartment, said baffling devices being placed in front of the inlet pipe or pipes to said compartments, a sealing flange on the upper portion of each baffle arranged to prevent the gas from passing upwardly around said baffle, a similar flange on the bottom of each bafile and at the back thereof to prevent the gas from passing around the bottom of the battle at the rear thereof, and supporting means in each compartment for said baflies, substantially as described.

6. A gas cooler and separator comprising vertical headers divided into compartments, horizontal circulating pipes connecting the several compartments in series, all

of said pipes being in approximately the same vertical plane,'gas-baflling means in each of said compartments, a cooling fluid trough above said pipes, means for supplying cooling-fluid to said trough, and means connected to said trough for causing the cooling fluid to drip on to the top pipe of the series, the arrangement. being such that the fluid will drip from pipe to pipe over the entire series, substantially as described.

7. A gas cooler and separator comprising vertical headers divided into compartments, horizontal circulating pipes connecting the several compartments in series, all of said pipes being in approximately the.

same vertical plane, gas-baffling means in each of said compartments, a cooling fluid trough above said pipes, means for supplying cooling fluid to said trough. means connected to said trough for causing the cooling fluid to drip on to the top pipe of the series, the arrangement being such that the fluid will drip frgm pipe to pipe over the entire series, and a catch basin below said pipes, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, We have hereunto 15 set our hands.

THOS. R. VVEYMOUTH. l/VILLIAM T. YOUNG.

Witnesses:

J. WEAVER, L. E. INGHAM. 

